Dielectric elastomer composites are widely used electromechanical actuators. Compounding of dielectric elastomers
with electroceramics helps to decrease the required electric field. In this work, silicone rubber was compounded with
Lead- Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) electroceramic powder by the help of a silane coupling agent for better compatibility
between organic ceramic and inorganic polymer. Modified PZT was added to silicone rubber with variable amount to
study the effect of ceramic concentration on composites properties. Morphology of the composites was characterized by
scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties of the samples were studied by uniaxial tension, and their dielectric
properties were compared through dielectric measurements. The results showed that at about 10 wt% of PZT loading
dielectric permittivity is higher for this composite compared to those for composites with lower or even higher loading of PZT.
Dielectric elastomers are light weight, low-cost, and highly deformable smart materials widely in used as sensors and
actuators. Compounding of silicone rubber with various fillers can enhance efficiency of smart materials. Effect of
organically modified Montmorillonite (OMMT) nanoclay on improvement of dielectric properties and actuation stress
was considered in this study. Room Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber was compound with 2% and 5% of
OMMT by solution method and a composite film was cast. Dielectric measurements show enhancement of both
dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss in these composites. Actuation stress for different composites was measured by
using an in-house actuation set-up, which showed that actuation stress for a given electric field intensity is higher for
composites than that for pristine silicone rubber. Furthermore, time dependent actuation response of the samples was
evaluated. Dielectric properties of the composites were measured under AC electric fields, and results were compared
with the reference silicone rubbers with no filler. Results shows increase in both storage and loss dielectric constants of
base silicone rubber when it is compounded with OMMT.
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